RYLA - Rotary Youth Leadership Awards

Information about RYLA

Adventure, Adventure, Adventure in 2026 - Applications are open - read more

Plans for RYLA 2026 camps in July are progressing well. Again, this year, more than ever, there is a need for RYLA. Many of the current 16/17-year-olds have missed out on so much due to the CoVid pandemic which affected them while they were still in primary or early secondary: with school and youth activities cancelled during this time, there continues to be a significant impact on young adults today.

RYLA gives Rotary the opportunity to reach a new generation and send out ambassadors. RYLA has had a transformative influence on thousands of youngsters in D1010 since 1971. Let Rotary in D1010 fill some of those gaps and give a young person the opportunity to realise their potential - these young people are the future of Rotary.

The RYLA team work with the centre at Nethybridge, healthcare and education professionals, Rotary GB&I and insurers throughout the year. Annually, we make necessary adjustments on a risk assessed basis to ensure we can run the camps safely. This is an ongoing process.

To date we receive a steady stream of applicants using the online application process. This can be accessed on www.ryla1010.com via laptop, computer, phone or tablet and facilitates a much faster recruitment process. Options for Interviewing include Skype, Facetime and Zoom, Teams or even just the good old phone and F2F - all have enabled Rotarians to interview very successfully and make the process easier.

Many thanks to the clubs who are actively promoting RYLA to schools and youth organisations. The link to the videos and information on www.ryla1010.com have been shared via Facebook, school and other websites. Many teachers have been delighted to communicate this to senior pupils as part of their normal communications with them. PTAs, parents and alumni have all be willing to spread the word. Please circulate the details of the camps to these groups or, if you have a club Facebook page, Instagram or other social media presence, please post the link there.

RYLA has changed the paths of many lives for the better and helps young people to believe in, understand and achieve their potential. Please don’t let a few challenges get in the way of giving this gift to the current cohort of youngsters who have already missed out on many opportunities to develop. Let’s give the current group of 16/17 years olds that opportunity together.

To find more information and to apply, please visit www.ryla1010.org

What Is RYLA?

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) isa leadership development programme run by Rotary for young people.The RYLA programme will provide you withthe opportunity to experience and learn things about yourself, about working in a team, but more importantly about leading and supervising other people. These are skills employers look for in the workplace.

What's Involved in RYLA?

The selected activities on the RYLA programme are all based on elements of problem solving, communication, organisation, delegation and teamwork. Whilst many of the activities take place outside, in the Cairngorm National Park, it is not an outward bound course! We use a variety of activities to develop you as an individual, as a team member and as a leader of a team, in a safe and enjoyable environment. There is no assessment, and no pass or fail, on this course. There are no limits on your development and we aim to help you realise your potential.

The courses are open to young people who are 16 and 17 years old and take place at Abernethy’s Outdoor Centre at Nethybridge. This centre, located in the Cairngorm National Park had been running RYLA courses with District 1010 for over 40 years.